Design forming device



April 13, 1937. H. ,H. LOWENSTEIN 7 DESIGN FORMING DEVICE Filed Feb. 10, 1936 Patented Apr. 13, 1937 DESIGN FORMING DEVICE Herman H. Lowenstein, Chicago, Ill. Application February 10, 1936, Serial No. 63,099

3 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to devices capable of use as design or pattern forming devices, advertising devices, and devicesadapted to be used for artistic or decorativepurposes. More particularly, this invention relates to devices of the type characterized bybeing composed of a plurality of separate elements adapted to be detachably connected together. f g

{Ifhemain object of this invention consists in providinga plurality of relatively flat substantially rigid elements adapted to be detachably v connected together in spaced relation.

Another object of my invention resides in the novel construction of a plurality of elements and fastening means therefor, whereby adjacent ele ments may be detachably connected together in spaced apart relation in a quick and easy manner.

A further object consists in providing a plurality of relatively flat substantially rigid elements and a simple and eiflcient form of fastening means for separately connecting adjacent elements together.

A still further object of my invention is to produce devices of the above mentioned character which are relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

From the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing, a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawing in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a plurality of ele ments connected together, and constructed in accordance with and embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the elements; r ""Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an element embodying a modified form of the invention; and I Fig. 4'isan enlarged fragmentary view of an element with my novel fastening means connected thereto.

"*The invention includes a plurality of relativelfviiat elements it which may be of any de sired shape, such as, circular, hexagonal, etc., adapted to be connected together in spaced apart relation to form a multiplicity of diiferent designs, patterns, and arrangements. These elements are preferably formed of semi-rigid or rigid material, such as, paper, cardboard, metal or fabric, and each element is provided with four pairs of apertures H, H, preferably spaced equal angular distances apart, and in close proximity to the edge of the element. each pair are preferably spaced apart transversely, and each aperture is connected by a slit l2 opening at the edge of the element. Said slits are disposed at an angle oblique to the general direction of connection to an adjacent element to prevent accidental disengagement of the fastening or connecting means hereinafter described.

Adjacent elements are detachably connected together by separate flexible endless membersl3 which may be inserted through the slits I2 into the aligned pairs of apertures H, H of the respective elements, as seen in Fig. 4. Preferably these endless members l3 are rubber bands, and because of the high resilient character of the material they may be easily inserted through and removed from the slits without impairing the elements it).

It will be manifest that the connection between adjacent elements may be through single apertures. However, the arrangement herein shown is preferred, since it aifords two spaced apart connections between each set of adjacent elements. It will be also apparent that the number of pairs of apertures provided in each element may be varied as desired, and in certain instances the number of pair's of apertures may be altered to suit the particular shape or contour of the element. a In the modified form of my invention, as shown in Fig. 3, the element I5 is of octagonal contour and is also provided with four pairs of equal angularly spaced apertures I6. Said apertures of each pair are transversely spaced apart and located in close proximity to the edge of the ele- The apertures of ment, and the apertures of each pair are connected by slits I'I. Adjacent elements l5 may be detachably connected together by fastening members, such as the endless rubber bands l3, by 5 inserting the collapsed band first through one aperture, then passing a portion of the hand through the slit l1, so that the band I3 passes through both apertures of the pair. The relation of the slit I! to the apertures I6 is substantially 10 the same as in the construction above described, in that the fastener or band when connecting adjacent elements engages a portion of the periphery of the aperture away from the slit, thus avoiding accidental or undesired disengagement of the fastening band l3 with the'element.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that whilepreferred embodiments of the invention have-been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What-I claim .and desire to secure-by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A plurality of relatively rigid substantially flat spaced apart elements, adjacent portions of said elements each being provided with a pair of spaced apertures, said portions each being slit therethrough terminating at said apertures, and separate endless fasteners passed through said slit portions for entering said apertures of said adjacent portions for detachably connecting adjacent elements together.

2. A plurality of relatively rigid substantially fiat spaced apart elements, adjacent portions of said elements each being provided with a pair 01' spaced apart apertures, each of said portions being provided with a slitconnecting said pair of apertures, and separate endless fasteners each inserted through an aperture of adjacent elements, and a portion passed through to the connecting slits for entering the other apertures of each pair for detachably connecting said portions of adjacent elements together.

7 3. A plurality .of relatively rigid substantially flat spaced apart elements for the purpose indicated, each of said elements being provided with four pairs of spaced apart apertures adjacent the edge thereof,said pairs of apertures being spaced in uniform angularirelation to each other, said elements eachbeingfslit therethrough adjacent to and terminating at said apertures,and sep arateendless fasteners passed through said slits .for entering apair of apertures of adjacent elements for detachably connecting said adjacent elements together.

vHERMAN H. LOWENSTEIN. 

